ROMUALDEZ TO JOIN BINAY

OPPOSITION House leader, Leyte (1st District) Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez might join the senatorial line-up of Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay if he decides to run for senator in 2016 along with Sarangani Rep. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. This was revealed yesterday by Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco.

Tiangco, spokesman and secretary-general of Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said Romualdez is among the young, but experienced talented lawmakers nowadays who can compete in the Senate race.

He said Romualdez, Pacquiao, Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, Buhay Hayaang Yumabong party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto, former Sens. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Richard Gordon may run under the new party to be established by Binay.

At the same time, Tiangco said Binay is scheduled to ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) this month to allow the registration of his new political party to abandon the PDP-Laban of Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel.

“We will submit our petition this month to allow the new party of the Vice President,” said Tiangco.

Tiangco clarified that UNA will remain the mother party for 2016 presidential polls of parties that will enter into a coalition with them and the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President-turned Manila City Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada where Sens. Juan Ponce Enrile and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, both detained for separate plunder and graft cases before Sandiganbayan in connection with pork barrel scam, are members.

“UNA will remain our banner party for 2016 and the PMP of President Estrada will remain with us. Vice President Binay will just leave the PDP-Laban and establish a new one,” said Tiangco.